Regardless of who you are or where you've been, chances are that you've heard one or more of Aretha Franklin's songs. The chances are also that you have had one of those classics ringing pleasurably in your head for hours on end. The Queen of Soul has that influence on men and women everywhere, and she's heading out on the road once again this summer to present millions of her fans with another reason to cherish her work.
Life Story
Franklin was born in Memphis on March 25, 1942. Following a bit of moving around, her family lived in Detroit when Aretha was seven. She was exposed to music from a young age , and began singing in her own father's church. She was soon a really popular member of the choir, and she produced her very first recording at the age of 14.
Subsequent to this first recording, Franklin entered "adulthood" almost immediately. She with with Columbia Records and became a mom when she was 15, having her first son, Clarence, Jr. Franklin had a second son, Eddie, when she was sixteen.
At this time, Franklin had to make a decision - be a full-time mother or pursue her music career. She chose the latter, as her grandmother helped her care for her sons while she continued to record songs. Franklin wedded Ted White in 1962 and had one more son, "Teddy" White, Junior in 1969.
She stayed with Columbia Records until 1967, then she transferred to Atlantic Records, and then the results had been almost immediate as a result of the expanded artistic freedom she had with her new label. Franklin dabbled in gospel, soul and blues themes with her music, and several of her songs from this time became top hits.
Blossoming Career
Having said that, it was her R&B work that earned her the nickname, "The Queen of Soul" in the 1960's. Franklin's music with Atlantic Records made her a major international star, and a number of of her most famous songs, including Respect had been released during this period.
Franklin continued to not only tour but record, and her career totals are astonishing. She has released a total of fifty-two albums, and has had seventeen singles reach the Top Ten of the US Hot one hundred Singles chart.
Franklin has also won seventeen Grammy Awards in a number of categories, but that is definitely not her only entry into her list of accomplishments. Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and was the second female to gain entry in the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
The Queen of Soul has also been highly regarded by more than one President of the United States. In 1999, President Bill Clinton presented Franklin with the National Medal of Arts, and then President George W. Bush awarded Franklin the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.
What It All Means
All of these accomplishments should make it clear that Aretha Franklin is actually a national icon. She has appeared in films like The Blues Brothers in 1980 and sang the national anthem in her own adopted hometown of Detroit previous to Super Bowl XL.
Her songs are ageless, along with the memories of her live shows live on in the minds of all who are lucky enough to be able to attend her concert. Franklin is going to be providing those same memories this summer.
You can also listen to Aretha as well as the best rock music of all time. You can also download rock music. All you have to do is explore, "we will rock you music sheet." It's simple, convenient, and a fantastic way to expand your knowledge of music.
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